FAQ

Q: What is the date for the 2011 Freedom Half Marathon?
A: The inaugural Freedom Half Marathon & Relays will be held on November 13, 2011.

Q: How much does it cost to register/enter the event ?
A: Events' fees are as follows:

Norfolk Freedom Half Marathon
$65 thru' Nov 6, 2010
$75 thru' Mar 6, 2011
$85 thru' Jul 6, 2011
$95 thereafter
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Freedom Half Marathon (Two-Person Relay)
$100 thru' Nov 6, 2010
$110 thru' Mar 6, 2011
$120 thru' Jul 6, 2011
$130 thereafter

Wounded Warrior and Family Fun Run 5K
$25 thru' Nov 6, 2010
$30 thru' Mar 6, 2011
$35 thru' Jul 6, 2011
$45 thereafter

Kids' Warrior Trot - Freedom Mile
$15 thru' Nov 6, 2010
$20 thru' Jul 6, 2011
$25 thereafter

Q: What does this entry fee cover?
A: The entry fee covers all the following:

Race Registration

Goody Bag

Commemorative Technical T-shirt

Commemorative Finisher Medallion

Personalized Bib (if registered on or before October 23, 2011)

Post-Race Food and Refreshments

Norfolk Freedom Half Marathon Post-Race Celebration (on Sunday Nov 13 2011)

Q: What time does the race start?
A: Event timings are as follows:

The Norfolk Freedom Half Marathon - Wheel Chair Invitational will begin at 6:55 am.
The Half Marathon and Relay events will begin at 7:00 am
The 5k event will begin at 7:30 am.

Q: What are the expected high/low temperatures on November 13?
A: Normal conditions for around this time of the year are:
High: 66 F (19 C)
Low: 50 F (10 C)

Q: Can I walk this marathon?
A: You must maintain a 16 min/mile pace in order to finish the race. The roads will open to traffic as soon as the last person passes mile marker 3, which will make it unsafe for participants moving under a 16 min/mile pace to finish the race.

Q: What is the age requirement to participate in Freedom Half Marathon?
A: To run the Freedom Half Marathon, you must be at least 14 years of age on November 13, 2011.

Q: What is the age requirement to participate in the Kids Warrior Trot – Freedom Mile?
A: Kids must be 12 years old and under on race day (Saturday, November 12, 2011).

Q: Do you have a pasta party?
A: Yes. The Inaugural Freedom Half Marathon Carbo Dining-In will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011.

Q: Can I push a baby stroller, baby jogger, and/or baby carrier; have baby backpacks, inline skates, motorized scooters, bicycles, skateboards, animals/pets of any kind, use a walking stick, roller blades, and/or wear headphones?
A: These objects are NOT permitted on the course. It is against USATF rules and are considered a safety hazard. The rules will be strictly enforced on the course.

Q: How should I line-up at the start line?
A: Runners should line up in their appropriate corral based on their expected finish time. The corrals will be maintained by Freedom Half Marathon volunteers and will be well-marked.

Q: When do I pick-up my race packet?
A: Race packet pick-up for the Freedom Half Marathon, Half Marathon Relay, Wounded Warrior & Family Fun Run 5k, and Kids’ Warrior Trot is at the Health & Fitness Expo, held Friday, November 11th and Saturday, November 12th. There is no race packet pick-up on race morning.

Q: How do I register?
A: You can click here to register online or follow the Register link on the main menu.

Q: Will I be able to register the day of the race?
A: Day of race registration is not available. Runners may register online through Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Q: I am not able to make it to Race Packet Pick-up. What do I do?
A: You may have another person (family member or friend) pick up your race packet for you. The person picking up your race packet will need the following:
His or her photo I.D. (only forms of I.D. accepted are Driver License or Military I.D.)
Letter signed by you authorizing the pick-up of your Race Packet. Name of the designated person on the letter must match photo I.D.
He or she will need to present these materials to a race official and will be required to show ID in order to verify the identity of the person picking up the race packet.

Q: Can I defer my entry to next year?
Q: No. Entry deferments are not permitted.

Q: How long is the course open?
A: The course is open for 4 hours. Registrants must be capable of completing the full distance, start line to finish line, within the event time requirement of 4 hour (or approx. 16 minutes/mile). Participants running slower than 16 minutes/mile will not be guaranteed Aid Station or Medical support once the 4:00 time limit has been reached. Participants still out on the race course will be asked to move onto the sidewalk as the streets will be re-opened to traffic.

Q: If I am injured and/or cannot run the event (friend’s wedding, work obligation, etc.) can I get a refund, donate my entry or transfer my entry to someone else?
A: No. Sale and/or transfer of race entry/bib is strictly prohibited and will result in the disqualification and/or banning of any individuals involved from future events. All entry fees are non-refundable, and may not be deferred toward a future event.

Q: Can I give/sell my number to another person?
A: No. Entries and race numbers are non-transferable from one person to another.

Q: Do I have to pick up my T-shirt, Participant Packet and Participant Bag at the Expo?
A: Yes. All participants must pick up their official race Bib Number, D-Tag, Technical T-shirt and Participant Bag at the Freedom Half Marathon Health & Fitness Expo. We do not mail out participant packets or bags that were not picked up; no exceptions.

Q: Can I pick up my Participant Packet, Participant Bag and T-shirt on the day of the race?
A: There is no race day Participant Packet and Bag Pick-Up. All participants must pick up their bags/bib numbers/t-shirts/D-Tags prior to race day.

Q: Can I exchange my shirt for a smaller/larger size at the Expo?
A: No. T-shirt sizes are determined at the point of registration and cannot be exchanged at the Expo for a different size.

Q: I cannot run the race. Will you mail my Participant Packet, Participant Bag and T-shirt to me?
A: No. We are unable to mail out Participant Packets or Bags if they are not picked up. No exceptions.

Q: If I offer to pay postage for my Participant T-shirt, will you mail it to me?
A: Yes. If you registered and are unable to participate in the race, we will be happy to mail just your participant T-shirt to you, there is a $5 cost to do so (please include in your cancellation notice your name, mailing address, sex, age, phone number, and T-shirt size). Make check payable to "Freedom Marathon, Inc." and mail to the following address:

Freedom Marathon, Inc.
Attn: Cancellations/T-shirt Request
P.O. Box 3843
Norfolk, VA 23514-3843

Participant T-shirts will be mailed approximately 4-6 weeks after the event.

Q: I want to volunteer. Who do I contact?
A: Volunteer registration for the 2011 race will open March 1, 2011. More volunteer information will be posted during the Spring of 2011.

Q: I'm not a runner, but want to be involved! Are there options for me?
A: Absolutely! In addition to our volunteer program, we encourage everyone across Norfolk and surrounding areas to support the cause and cheer on our runners on race day.